Students at a Wellington college, facing the daily challenge of navigating through either a congested tunnel or a steep, rugged track to get to school, now have a new, eco-friendly option thanks to their proactive environmental club.
Located on the city-side of Mount Victoria, students previously contended with a choice between a cramped, noisy tunnel or a strenuous hillside path. Motivated by a desire for a safer, more pleasant commute, members of the college’s enviro-club, led by Lucy and Maya, envisioned a solution. “We often walked over an extremely steep track which was completely impossible to bike up. We wanted to make it more accessible for people to bike and walk to our school so they could have a nice commute through the bush, instead of the fume-filled tunnel,” they explained.
With support from Wellington City Council’s schools’ liaison officer, Alex Litherland, and the Climate Change Response team, the students proposed creating a new commuter track over Mount Victoria. This initiative aimed not only to improve safety and convenience but also to contribute positively to the environment.
The project gained momentum with the completion of the nearby Cambridge Terrace bike lane, linking Wellington’s eastern suburbs to the broader bike network. Jonathan Kennett, Council project manager, recognized the potential for these “commuter links” to enhance connectivity through Wellington’s green spaces, aligning with recent city initiatives supported by the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure.
Over three weekends, the enviro-club, assisted by teachers, volunteer Matairangi Trail Builders, and Wellington City Council, transformed the old track. They widened, rerouted, and resurfaced the path, ensuring accessibility and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Lucy commented on the track’s functionality, noting, “I’ve ridden the track many times now, and the thing that pleasantly surprised me most is how easy it is to ride up.”
Beyond functionality, the new track offers a rejuvenating outdoor experience. Maya expressed enthusiasm about the trail’s potential impact: “I really like that it gives me a chance to reconnect with the outdoors after being inside all day. We’re super excited to see how people continue to use the trail, and we’re positive it’s going to make a great impact for future East students.”
Looking ahead, the enviro-club plans to organize group rides to encourage less confident riders to explore Wellington’s expanded bike network, now conveniently linked to their school. Despite some leaders graduating this year, the club remains committed to promoting sustainable transportation and community engagement.
In creating this new commuter track, the college’s enviro-club not only enhanced accessibility but also fostered a greener, healthier way for students and commuters to connect with their surroundings.